World Vision Launches Humanitarian Response to Support Victims of Deadly Earthquakes in Venezuela

CARACAS, Venezuela – June 26, 2026 – World Vision activated its emergency response team just hours after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck north-central Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24. According to official reports, the quakes have left widespread destruction, major disruptions to essential services, and more than 589 people dead, 2,980 injured, and 214 aftershocks.

Following the collapse of residential and commercial buildings in communities such as La Guaira and Catia La Mar in the Capital District, as well as in the states of Miranda, Falcón, and Carabobo, World Vision is conducting rapid damage and needs assessments to determine the most urgent humanitarian priorities.

“Humanitarian assistance is urgently needed in a country that was already facing a critical situation before this disaster made it even more severe. World Vision will focus on supporting affected families through food assistance, hygiene and sanitation kits, menstrual dignity kits, and portable sanitation facilities in the most impacted communities. However, meeting the scale of need will require the generosity of the international community and sustained donor support,” said Joao Diniz, Regional Leader for World Vision Latin America and the Caribbean.

In response to the trauma caused by the earthquakes and the heightened risks facing children who have lost their homes or become separated from their parents or caregivers, World Vision will implement community-based child protection activities, raise awareness on safeguarding children, and help prevent gender-based violence. The organization will also support shelters with portable toilets and waste management systems to improve sanitation conditions.

The Venezuelan government has activated national emergency protocols, ordered the preventive shutdown of gas services in affected buildings, and deployed search-and-rescue teams alongside Civil Protection authorities. A tsunami watch remains in effect for coastal areas located within 300 kilometers of the earthquake’s epicenter.

Thousands of children and adolescents in the affected areas now face heightened risks of family separation, psychological distress, and exposure to unsafe structures as evacuations continue and aftershocks persist. World Vision is assessing needs related to child protection, psychosocial support, safe shelter, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), drawing on its operational presence in Venezuela and its extensive network of community partners and local churches.

World Vision calls on the international community, donors, and humanitarian partners to provide immediate financial support to scale the emergency response in Venezuela and ensure that children and their families receive the life-saving assistance they urgently need during this critical time.

To support the response, visit: https://donate.worldvision.org/give/venezuela-relief-fund

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, visit worldvision.org or follow on X @WorldVisionUSA.